Any ideas on how to start a fitness plan

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2004
Any ideas on how to start a fitness plan
9
Tue, 02-14-2006 - 1:24pm

I weigh 330 pounds at 5'8" and am 43. I have joined my YMCA and this time I really want to get serious, they have every imaginable piece of fitness equip and classes, etc, they even have personal trainers for an extra rather large fee. I have been going and riding a recumbent bike for 20 minutes, using a rowing machine for 15 minutes and swimming laps for about 20 minutes about 3 times a week, I know this is no where near what I need to be doing, but you could say I am clueless about getting on the right kind of plan and so big and embarrased that when I go I try to stay to myself because most of the people there are either maintaining their great bods or have already dropped their weight, I feel like the "woman" at the circus, but I am determined to keep going I just want to half way look like I know what I am doing! Thanks for any ideas!

Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Tue, 02-14-2006 - 1:40pm

your Y charges a fee? Mine membership came with personal trainer advice. I thought they were all alike but I guess I was wrong.

angela

 

Angela

image

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2005
Tue, 02-14-2006 - 3:12pm

Hi Karen:

I think you are doing ABSOLUTELY wonderful with your current fitness plan.
I am proud of your attempts and you should be too! It takes a real woman of strength and courage to take care of herself!! Dont focus on the others in the gym. Trust me when I tell you that you are an inspiration! A doer of things kinda girl!!

Some suggestions I have for you and questions!

?'s first:
How are you feeling the day after your 3x a week routine?
First in your physical body and secondly about yourself, there is a reason why I am asking this Karen so bare with me.

?
You just joined the gym right? If you have just joined, my first priority would be to establish a workout routine. Perhaps making up a little chart for the fridge that says what days you work out and what you do for a rough time estimate. I like this because it motivates me. I have a calendar in our bathroom that I put little stickers that I made with running shoes. Hey anything helps!!

Suggestions!
Based on your response to the above, my next thought would be what are you doing on your off days. A suggestion would be strength walking for 30 minutes outside
If you can. Or just a plain old walk. Enjoy the outside. Dress appropriately for your area and I am not a fan of head gear. I like to hear what is coming around me!!

Or, even popping in a Richard Simmons dancesize tape is great.

Both is cardio, which is good as you know and you can see the outside as you walk and feel great about your efforts while you are dancing away!

Just a thought!
Again, I think you are doing amazing. Proud of you girl!

Hyacinth
hyacinthpierre@rogers.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2004
Tue, 02-14-2006 - 5:42pm

Hyacinth, What a beautiful name! Thanks so much for your reply and tips. I would have to say that any day I can make myself get out and do something I feel better, so in answer to the ? about how do I feel, I feel much better, except I think where I swim laps last, the swimming just really wears me out and makes me hungry, I try to eat a good breakfast before hitting the gym, but I still come home and want to eat and take a nap, but I do feel much better about myself and what I have tried to acomplish.
Secondly, as far as my exercise routine goes, I just guess I want to be doing the right amount of cardio and strength training that will benefit me the most, I have all the gadgets at home, Step Home trainer, the elastic bands, the ball, plenty of exercise and dance videos and even a beautiful place to walk outdoors, I guess I am just lacking the motivation, because I always feel so tired. I want to get so I go to the gym 5 days a week and get into such a routine that it hurts when I miss. Thank you again for your motivation--I read your profile and saw that you are a Christian, that helps so much too--I could not do anything like this without Christ. And you are also from Canada and I have visited that most beautiful country many times. You sound like a really good person. Keep smiling!

Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2004
Tue, 02-14-2006 - 5:56pm

Nope, it is $100 for initial session and $30 per 1/2 hour sessions after that, that's after you have already paid to join the Y! Go figure!

Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 3:21am

Hi Karen,


WOW! I think you're doing a great job. You're getting about an hour of exercise, three times a week. That's great dedication. I admire that. You're doing cardio 3x a week and from what I've read, that's what most fitness experts recommend.


You shouldn't be worried about feeling hungry after your exercise session. I read that many people need a snack after exercising. Try having some type of lean protein. It will satisfy your hunger and it is good for muscle recovery.


I think it is important to establish a routine at the beginning. Instead of overdoing it and then ditching exercise all together (been there, done that so many times I lost count). Why don't you stick to what you're doing for a little while and when you feel ready, you can add some things. Maybe add strength training 2x a week for toning & building muscle.


Again I admire yours and Hyacinth's commitment and hope that one day I will be able to work up to what you're doing.


Mary (exercise challenged

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 10:48am

That sucks, if mine were that way I wouldn't be able to talk to him either...LOL
I already talked with him and he set me up on a workout with weights but I haven't been able to go but twice since due to my lungs, which sucks also.
What he set up for me is 1 set of reps (12) on each machine at a weight I could do comfortably for 12 times. I walk 30-45 min a day and do the machines 3 x a week, of course that is based on if I can breathe enough to go at all. (I have asthma and have been sick non stop since Nov). Hope this helps some.

Angela

 

Angela

image

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2005
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 11:25am

Hey Karen...you are so kind...thank you .. you made my day!

Would you like to try journalling (email) style with me? I dont have someone like that and I was wondering if you would like to give it a try!!

Sort of like share our exercise for the day
water consumption
tests and encourage each other

let me know
hyacinthpierre@rogers.com
is my private email address

thanks and you are doing great...

i was thinking after my workouts I am hungry too.
i eat but i just eat healthy with portion control in my mind
the lady at Curves says we should eat about 1 hour before we work out
and after we work out, have a meal planned...
that includes some protein and a vegetable
something about our body needing this to replenish whatever we lost

another thought i had for you
do you take your pulse at times during your work outs
for my age, i am too operate at 70 to 80% (at my peak) which shows that i am actually burning fat not muscles for about 15-20 minutes during my workout time

i take my pulse at rest when i am just warming up...it is usually 12 beeps per second
15 beeps per second as i get going
then it increases up to 20 to 22 beeps per second
then back down again to 18....etc
as I slow down

Is there someone at the gym that you can ask about this information for you.
If not, maybe I can write down what our chart says in the gym and email it to you.
Either way,,got to run..at work (smile)
have a wonderful blessed day
In Him,
Hyacinth

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2005
Thu, 02-16-2006 - 11:46am

"You shouldn't be worried about feeling hungry after your exercise session. I read that many people need a snack after exercising. Try having some type of lean protein. It will satisfy your hunger and it is good for muscle recovery.

I think it is important to establish a routine at the beginning. Instead of overdoing it and then ditching exercise all together (been there, done that so many times I lost count). Why don't you stick to what you're doing for a little while and when you feel ready, you can add some things. Maybe add strength training 2x a week for toning & building muscle." from cl-Merry!!

I Totally Agree with this statement.....she knows what she is talking about my friend, so listen up!! Smile!
You ARE on the RIGHT Track !!
Hy

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Mon, 02-20-2006 - 3:33am

I just want to point out that I am not a professional in this field. Anything I say is out of personal experience and things I read. There is a team at ivillage for professional advice. You can ask Fitness expert Liz

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